the german chancellor, angela merkel called vladimir putin to urge him not to interfere. she's also reportedly asked for the russian president's help to secure the release of the osc members being held by rebels. americale is set to discuss the crisis further when she meets with president obama in washington later. >>> in poland, they seem to be taking an economic hit. data shows manufacturing expansion slowed to its lowest level since last summer in april. and german bund yields dip to their lowest level in years. joining us with his thought, and james butterfield is still with us. >> i think the prime minister of ukraine is right. this is a dangerous period indeed. ukraine is scheduled to have a presidential election on the 25th of may. and it looks to me as though president putin is trying to do everything he can to disrupt that in the east of the country. and to keep the situation unstable. >> unstable but not out of control? >> well, out of the control of the kiev government. >> yes. >> it's interesting they've launched this -- >> russia doesn't want a civil war, tho